SUU Grad Trenten Dopp Takes Gold in SkillsUSA Championships

Published: August 02, 2011 | Read Time: 1 minutes

In his final act as a Thunderbird student, after graduating last May, Southern Utah University graduate Trenten Dopp showcased the skills he learned while at college and received the gold medal in the college division of the 2011 SkillsUSA Championships.

With a degree in engineering technology, Dopp participated in this four-day competition against over 5,600 other competitors. He said this was the first time competing at nationals and is excited about receiving the gold medal.

Dopp said during the competition he was confident he would be in the top three, but wasn’t sure where he would place.

Throughout the competition Dopp participated in five different sections: a customer service exam, a written exam, soldering, breadboarding and troubleshooting.

“All aspects of the competition test contestants’ abilities to use and calibrate electronic equipment, record and organize date, and demonstrate proper safety practices,” according to SkillsUSA

David Ward, associate professor of electronics technology and former adviser for Dopp, said he was confident that Dopp would do well at the competition.

“I had a strong feeling that Trenten would place within the top three in the national contest,” he said. “I was very excited to learn that he had won the gold medal.”

Ward says “Trenten is a very smart individual and figures things out things very quickly.”

Dopp said his education while at SUU helped him a lot at this competition. He said the professors at SUU would help push the students to reach their full potential.

Counting Dopp’s gold medal, the College of Integrated Engineering & Technology now has nine national medal winners in SkillsUSA competition.

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